The creative industries were first defined by the government in 1997. Their sub-sectors include:
- Music and performing arts, such as acting, and visual arts, such as painting
- Crafts, such as weaving, furniture-making and jewellery-making
- Film, TV, animation, visual effects, video, radio and photography
- Video games, virtual reality and extended reality
- Museums, galleries and heritage, such as stately homes and cathedrals
- Publishing and libraries
- Design, including product design, graphic design and fashion
- Architecture
- Advertising and marketing
Jobs in the creative industries range from roles like weaving and acting through to data analysis and network programming. There's a need for scientists, artists, people with business skills and those who combine all three.
Labour Market Information
Career Paths
The UK's creative industries contributed £115.9billion to the economy in 2019, according to the Department of Digital, Culture, Media & Sport. This is a 43.6% increase since 2010 and means the sector makes up just under 6% of the economy as a whole.
Even more importantly, more than two million people were found to work in the creative industries and that number was growing - already up more than a third since 2011 - prior to COVID-19. All these figures demonstrate that this has become a vibrant sector with lots of opportunities for graduate careers.
Its growth over recent years has been driven by a boom in computer services, highlighting the importance of digital creative industries such as video games.
(Prospects, 2021)
Many people are interested in combining their interests, talents or qualifications in the creative arts with supporting people with mental health issues and/or other health issues.
What are the different types of arts and creative therapies?
The main types of arts and creative therapies in the UK are:
Dance movement therapy
Dramatherapy
Music therapy
Visual art therapy
Find out more information here on this website Creative Therapies or creative therapy support roles.
Use the following link to see examples of careers and opportunities within the creative industry.
Find your perfect role in the creative industries - Creative Careers (discovercreative.careers)
There are many different types of jobs in theatre and knowing where to start in your theatre career search can be difficult. Whether you want to be an actor, work within backstage & technical theatre or in one of the many supporting roles the below link is a great starting point to learn what role in theatre would best suit you.
This complete list of careers in theatre is based on large-scale theatres in the UK. For smaller theatres or productions some roles in this list will not be applicable or the roles may be merged together.
Find out more on careers in film and TV dramas at Screenskills.
Video game sales surpassed the £4billion mark in 2020, showing that the UK's gaming industry is going from strength to strength - leading to a growing number of opportunities available for video game enthusiasts
The nation's games development workforce is now 18,279 strong - up by over 12% from November 2018 to April 2020 - the fastest growth it has recorded (since 2007).
It's therefore no surprise that this entertainment form is becoming an increasingly popular career choice, with lots of different technical and creative roles available for those with a passion for gaming.
For more information about how to get into the gaming industry and related jobs please look at the Prospects website.
Maths and English in the Creative Arts
What skill/qualification do you need to work in this industry?
Only some of the jobs in the creative industries are art-based. STEM (science, technology, engineering and maths) subjects are needed in the creative industries too. For example, many jobs in the animation, VFX and games industries require people with backgrounds in maths, science and computer programming. Theatre technicians need to understand weight distribution and dimensions. Textile makers need to know about chemistry, physics, maths and engineering.
Like any sector, the creative industries need people with business skills. Accountants, lawyers, social media experts, people who work in human resources, data analysts and administrators are all in demand. In theatre, film and TV production, there’s a need for electricians, carpenters and plasterers too.
Quiz
If you are not sure try this quiz to see a list of university subjects that match your interests.
Courses at Lincoln College
Choose from a range of courses covering all aspects of the Creative industries. As you have read courses in a wide range of subjects or vocational areas could be relevant to the creative industries, including:
Performing Arts, Dance, Music Performance and Production, Creative Media Production, Art and Design, Photography, Fashion, Computing and IT, Engineering, Catering and Hospitality, Hair and Beauty, Media Make-up, Construction, Electrical Installations, Law, Accounting and Finance, Business.
You can find more information on our course guide.
Useful Links
Discover Creative Careers: Bringing together careers information and opportunities from creative organisations in one explorable directory.
Discover creative careers
Find out about career in arts and creative sector
Target Careers
If you're ready to start your career in the creative industries, there are many creative jobs available for those with artistic talent, a flair for design or a desire to perform try
Prospects – Creative Jobs
There are thousands of routes into a theatre career. Choose yours.
Get into Theatre
Screen Skills can help you get into the screen industries. If you want a career in film, TV, games, animation or VFX, begin by browsing our job profiles
Screen skills